Career Definition for a Mining Engineer
Mining engineers design and create systems that are used to locate, extract, and transport natural resources. They develop and design new mining equipment and make sure that the mining procedures used are safe and efficient. Increasingly, mining engineers focus their attention on creating mining equipment and techniques that are as friendly to the environment as possible.
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Job Skills | Communication, creativity, mathematics, problem solving |
| Median Salary (2021)* | $97,090 (for mining and geological engineers) |
| Job Growth (2021-2031)* | 2% (for mining and geological engineers) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
Mining engineers need at least a bachelor's degree to find a job, and many research positions require a master's degree or doctorate. Some courses that students need to take cover geology, mining operation, mine design, metallurgy and environmental reclamation, among others.
Licensing Requirements
Any mining engineer who works in the public sector must have a state license. Requirements vary by state, but typically include a combination of education and experience, and a series of tests.
Skills Required
Mining engineers must have a strong background in math and science, good organizational skills and strong problem-solving abilities. Creativity and the ability to communicate effectively are also needed.
Career and Economic Outlook
The number of jobs in the mining and geological engineering field is expected to expand about 2% from 2021-2031, in line with the national average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov). The BLS also indicated that the median yearly salary for mining and geological engineers was $97,090 in 2021.
Alternate Career Options
Those seeking to become mining scientists may consider related occupations, including petroleum engineering and geology.
Petroleum Engineer
A petroleum engineer's work focuses on the extraction of oil and gas from the ground; this work can include improving mechanical or chemical processes, making drilling plans, well testing, or maintenance of extraction equipment in the field. A bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a closely related field is required for entry-level work. Petroleum engineers who work in the public sector must have a state license; licensing requirements vary by state but most require a degree from an ABET-accredited program, work experience, and two exams. Petroleum engineers can also earn Society of Petroleum Engineers certification. The BLS expects jobs in this field to increase 8% from 2021-2031. This occupation paid a median salary of $130,850 in 2021, per the BLS.
Geoscientist
A geoscientist studies the physical properties and processes of planet Earth. Geoscientists can specialize in subfields like oceanography, paleontology, seismology, and more. Geoscientists work in the field, making observations and taking measurements or samples, and in the lab, conducting research and analysis. This career requires at least a bachelor's degree; a Ph.D. is often required for research jobs. Licensure requirements may also apply, depending on the state. The BLS predicts that geoscientist jobs will increase 5% from 2021-2031; geoscientists earned median pay of $83,680 in 2021.
